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Developers can restrict game capture and streaming on PS4

The idea of Twitch/Ustream integration for the PS4 sounds great on paper, but it looks like developers are going to be able to restrict exactly what you stream and what you record.

The "Share" button on PS4 promises to make uploading gameplay clips much easier than ever before--especially with Twitch and Ustream integration. However, don't expect to capture games in their entirety, as the ability to record gameplay comes with caveats. Notably, developers can restrict what footage can be captured in their games.

In an FAQ, Sony stated that users will not be able to record, distribute, or stream entire game playthroughs. "Users may not be able to record certain areas within the game," the FAQ states. "Developers can select the area of restriction, and what will be restricted will depend on game titles. In these cases, recording will be temporarily suspended during the scene."

Sony's policy enables game creators to block having story-related spoilers posted online. For example, Beyond: Two Souls can be found in its entirely on YouTube.

In addition, PS4 cannot share videos to YouTube at launch. Savvy users, however, will be able to get around this restriction by using the YouTube function from their Twitch video archive. Users will also be able to make use of an external HDMI-based capture device following a post-launch system update.

Ozzie Mejia

Senior Editor

Ozzie has been playing video games since picking up his first NES controller at age 5. He has been into games ever since, only briefly stepping away during his college years. But he was pulled back in after spending years in QA circles for both THQ and Activision, mostly spending time helping to push forward the Guitar Hero series at its peak. Ozzie has become a big fan of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and RPGs, just to name a few genres, but he’s also a huge sucker for anything with a good, compelling narrative behind it. Because what is video games if you can't enjoy a good story with a fresh Cherry Coke?

Follow him on Twitter at @Ozz_Mejia for musings and random shenanigans.